Fruean's lifestyle key factor in choice

Robbie Fruean.

Hawke's Bay Magpies rugby centre Robbie Fruean will be the guest speaker at the Ngati Kahungunu Sports Awards function in Hastings next month.

Ngati Kahungunu Iwi Incorporated communications adviser Ruth Wong said her organisation was thrilled to secure Fruean for the Hastings Sports Centre-hosted function on October 10. Hawke's Bay Rugby Union board member and former All Black captain Taine Randell will interview Fruean.

"We place a huge emphasis on healthy lifestyles and overcoming setbacks so Robbie is the ideal choice as our guest speaker," Wong said.

She was referring to the fact Fruean, 26, is still playing first-class rugby after undergoing two open heart surgeries due to damage caused by rheumatic fever. He was 19 when he came down with a fever and sore throat, but fobbed it off. By the time he went to the doctor with aching joints, it was too late.

"I had been ignorant. I thought I had the flu, [I used] the dirty old trick of putting Vicks in a bowl and trying to sweat it all out," Fruean said in a recent presentation.

"I tried having a shower ... then went and had a checkup. The doctor could hear a murmur in my heart, even then I thought it was nothing. It never really hit me until I was told I had to have an operation," Fruean added.

That was in 2007, the same year he was named the IRB World U19 Player of the Year after helping New Zealand win the U19 World Cup in Ireland. His second round of open heart surgery took place last year.

A former Crusaders and Chiefs Super player, Fruean represented Canterbury and Wellington in the ITM Cup before signing a two-year deal with the Magpies in July. He has started in all six of the Magpies Cup games to date this season.